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Britain

Britain
The latest breaking news and stories on the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK), a constitutional monarchy in northern Europe which includes England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and the world’s sixth largest economy. Also covering the UK’s relationship with the European Union (EU) post Brexit, as well as with China, plus commentary and updates on the UK’s economy, politics, society and social issues.
Capital
London
Head of State
King Charles III
King Charles III
Head of Government
Prime Minister Keir Starmer
A visitor takes in Kristina Sretkova’s 3D-effect Universal Love at last year’s edition of the Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong Photo: Dickson Lee
On Our Radar

Explore art’s future at Hong Kong’s Affordable Art Fair this May

Discover affordable art, Cantopop-inspired installations, British talent and hands-on workshops at Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong 2026 – where accessibility meets creativity.

Keir Starmer

UK’s Starmer to ‘get on with governing’, defies calls to quit

Fame and celebrity

Meet Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, who plays Alamo in Euphoria

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US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | Trump has few cards to play against Iran and in China

The impasse over the Strait of Hormuz is a long chess game across multiple arenas, not easily solved by a naval blockade or a mere poker bluff.

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People walk past an anti-US billboard, depicting President Donald Trump and the Strait of Hormuz, in Tehran on May 11. Photo: West Asia News Agency via Reuters
Keir Starmer

Starmer is fighting to stay in power. Here’s what could happen

Unlike the Conservative Party, which has a history of getting rid of leaders, Labour does not have that muscle memory. Could that change soon?

Japan

Japan’s ‘cutest’ envoy shows Britons how to love Britain

‘He has made me feel more proud to be British than any politician or any figure since I was born,’ a content creator says.

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Banking & finance

Investors bet CK Hutchison is exiting a mature sector at right time – once again

Disposal of VodafoneThree adds to Li family’s record of cycle-savvy moves, with investors weighing where war chest will flow next.

For decades, the Li family, which controls CK Hutchison, has built a reputation for exiting businesses near the top of market cycles, according to analysts. Photo: Sam Tsang
European Union

UK targets Russian ‘information warfare’ with new sanctions

Sanctions package hits 85 people and entities, two-thirds of them related to alleged Russian propaganda operations.

China-UK relations

Will Starmer’s election woes force a shake-up in the UK’s ties with China?

British prime minister’s dwindling authority may see him come under pressure to shift policies, Chinese experts say.

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Keir Starmer

UK’s Starmer under renewed pressure to quit as revolt grows

Home secretary and deputy PM reportedly join calls for a leadership transition as several aides resign.

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday. Photo: PA via AP
Hantavirus

More passengers from hantavirus-hit cruise ship test positive

Two passengers, French and American, test positive as governments take extensive precautions for evacuees.

A bus transporting repatriated British nationals from the MV Hondius as they arrive at Arrowe Park Hospital in Birkenhead, Britain. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong property

Hong Kong’s Tsim Sha Tsui tops Asia luxury retail rents – but loses global crown

City’s luxury retail shows resilience with rising tourist arrivals and new store openings despite global slowdown, according to Savills.

Artificial intelligence

China ranks third in global index for AI competitiveness in life sciences

China listed behind only the US and UK, reflecting the country’s ‘major scale’ in AI, biotechnology and talent, says data consortium.

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Disease

UK paratroopers jump onto remote Atlantic island for hantavirus mission

UK forces carry out first-ever deployment of medical personnel via parachute to reach isolated Tristan da Cunha.

An ICU nurse and a paratrooper make the jump. Photo: UK MOD via Reuters
China-EU relations

Could Spain’s ‘compliment sandwich’ approach to China work for the EU?

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s recent visit to Beijing illustrates ‘delicate equilibrium’, analyst says as others voice scepticism.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (left) arrive at the Diaoyutai Guest House in Beijing on April 11. Photo: Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran responds to US proposal, as Qatari tanker crosses Strait of Hormuz

The response, sent via Pakistan, focuses on ending the war on all fronts, especially Lebanon, and on the safety of shipping in the waterway.

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Hong Kong-UK spying row

Diplomatic row over Hong Kong-linked spying convictions in UK heats up

Beijing disputes UK’s version of diplomatic meeting as ambassador warns of ‘firm countermeasures’ over ‘political manipulation’.

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Keir Starmer

Ex-minister tells UK cabinet to boot Starmer or she’ll challenge him herself

Catherine West’s ultimatum comes amid calls for his resignation after Labour’s crushing defeat in local elections.

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer reacts as he prepares to leave the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris in April. Photo: AFP
Hantavirus

Hantavirus outbreak: UK to isolate cruise ship passengers in ex-Covid hospital

There are around 24 British passengers and crew, as well as two people from Ireland, on board the MV Hondius.

My Take

My Take | Starmer was right about political change. But this is not what he planned

Frustrated voters continue to shun Britain’s two major parties in favour of upstart challengers such as Reform UK. But now their credentials will be tested.

US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | Trump’s threats against Iran are historically illiterate

The US president’s threats to end Iranian civilisation expose his ignorance of the country’s long history.

Iranian women visit the ruins of Persepolis, ceremonial capital of the ancient Achaemenid empire of Persia, near Shiraz in Iran. Photo: AFP
Hantavirus

‘Not another Covid’ says WHO, as new suspected hantavirus cases found

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO chief, is in charge of MV Hondius’ evacuation; latest patient sat on plane near woman infected during cruise.

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Sant Joan university hospital, where a woman with symptoms consistent with a hantavirus infection is being treated, is seen in Alicante, Spain, on Friday. Photo: Reuters
Spain

Spain to repatriate guests as hantavirus-hit cruise ship heads for Canaries

The MV Hondius is expected to reach the port of Granadilla on the island of Tenerife on Sunday.

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Hong Kong-UK spying row

Why the UK won’t shut Hong Kong’s London trade office despite spying verdict

Analysts say British authorities will prioritise stable ties with Beijing given current geopolitical uncertainties.

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Hong Kong

Video | UK court convicts 2 men from HK trade office of spying

Hong Kong government claims case ‘absolutely unrelated’ to the administration, while Chinese embassy in UK condemns ‘political move’.

Chinese embassy in Britain slams conviction of 2 men linked to Hong Kong trade office
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Keir Starmer

UK PM Starmer won’t ‘walk away’ after local election drubbing

Nigel Farage, whose Reform UK gained more seats, said the results so ‌far ‌represented a ‘truly historic shift in British politics’.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife arrive at a polling station in London on Thursday. Photo: Xinhua
Sri Lanka

Ex-SriLankan Airlines head in US$16 million Airbus corruption case found dead

Kapila Chandrasena was arrested in March on charges of conspiring to accept a US$16 million bribe for the purchase of 10 Airbus aircraft.

India-Pakistan tensions

Chinese J-35 stealth jets set to give Pakistan a strategic edge over India

India has a much larger fleet of 4.5-generation fighters but is lagging behind Pakistan in the acquisition of stealth warplanes.

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